What Does “As Discussed” Mean?

What they said

“As discussed…”

Literal translation

“We talked about this earlier.”

Possible office translation

“We talked about this earlier, and I would now quite like there to be written evidence that we did.”

Passive-aggression rating

Usually harmless. Becomes noticeably frostier when preceded by “already” or followed by a deadline you have apparently forgotten.

What does “as discussed” mean in an email?

In an email, “as discussed” refers back to a prior conversation, meeting, call or exchange. It is a useful signpost, and it is standard professional English. People reach for it to:

• recap an earlier discussion without repeating the whole thing
• introduce an agreed next step
• provide written confirmation of something settled verbally
• avoid restating a long conversation in full

Used this way, it is simply good housekeeping — a courteous way of saying “following our chat.”

Is “as discussed” rude?

Usually, no. The phrase itself is neutral. Tone changes depending on context. Compare:

“As discussed, I’ve attached the revised document.”

with:

“As already discussed, this was due yesterday.”

The phrase itself is usually neutral; surrounding words create the sharpness. “Already” and a missed deadline do the work, not “as discussed.”

Is “as discussed” passive-aggressive?

Not inherently. It can feel pointed when used to:

• remind someone of something they have forgotten
• establish that instructions were already given
• create a written record
• signal mild frustration

But it is worth resisting the assumption that hidden hostility lurks behind every instance. Most of the time, normal workplace language is simply normal workplace language. You can read more about the psychology of workplace conversation in our topic hub.

What does “as discussed with you” mean?

It simply means “as I discussed with you earlier.” It is grammatical, but can sound slightly formal or stiff — the “with you” adds a touch of official distance.

Warmer alternatives include:

“As we discussed…”

“Following our conversation…”

“As discussed” vs “as agreed”

The difference matters:

As discussed = we talked about it.

As agreed = we reached a decision or commitment.

They should not be treated as interchangeable. Writing “as agreed” when you only had a conversation claims more than the exchange delivered. If the other person remembers the discussion differently, “as agreed” turns a vague chat into a binding contract they never signed.

Better alternatives to “as discussed”